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Ever hatch HALF a bator load?
Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 10:31 pm
by Poultryprincess
Sooooo I have this New Hovabator....but I really don't "need" to hatch another full load of Silkies.
I was thinking of doing "half" a load but there is that nagging feeling that since it holds 40 eggs I should put 40 eggs!
Do you ever just throw a hatch together & Not worry about it?
Ever hatch HALF a bator load?
Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 10:33 pm
by Ontario Chick
Oh oh, just watch the enablers coming out to help you make the "right" decision
Ever hatch HALF a bator load?
Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 10:37 pm
by baronrenfrew
Yeah right... That's like me drinking half a beer.
Ever hatch HALF a bator load?
Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 10:53 pm
by hayladee
heehee! such a waste of space in the bator....fill it up!!!
Ever hatch HALF a bator load?
Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 11:00 pm
by windwalkingwolf
I've set half a load twice this year, when the hens weren't laying all that well, I didn't want to let the eggs get too old. I HAD to hatch what I could :D But really, if you HAVE 40 eggs, and you're going to test out the new incubator anyway, I mean, what's 20 extra chicks? More to choose from for next year :) And they probably won't all hatch, anyway, so it's not REALLY 40 eggs :D
Ever hatch HALF a bator load?
Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 3:24 am
by kenya
Fill her up! Ha! Ha! I have done small hatches for the same reasons WWW said, didn't want the eggs to get too old.
Ever hatch HALF a bator load?
Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 7:14 am
by goatgal35
My bator hold 600 eggs, so yes I hatch partial batches all the time. I like to see it full cause hey why waste hydro and space, but sometime I just don't have enough eggs:)
Ever hatch HALF a bator load?
Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 7:54 am
by Killerbunny
All this next part is true and NOT denial. Yes I often hatch 2/3 a bator load. I use tabletop Styrofoam ones. Oh wait I have 3 of them so 3 x 2/3 is..........
Ever hatch HALF a bator load?
Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 8:57 am
by Poultryprincess
hmmmm so maybe should just "fill er up"?!?!
I am worried about waiting too long.
Have 28 eggs so far....will see how many eggs come today.
( I am being picky. I'm ONLY collecting eggs from the Showgirls )
50% will be silkies anyway, but No eggs from the regular EE flock
Will be the second time using this new bator.
First hatch I was happy with...Exciting!!!!!
Ever hatch HALF a bator load?
Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 9:00 am
by Bayvistafarm
I would fill it if it were me. Seems half the time only half hatches anyhow. If I only filled it half, NONE would hatch. I should have locked down mine last night. Ran it a whole degree hotter this time. (house is cold). I've got 28 chicken eggs in it, and 4 guinea's. If the guinea's are good, they will be put in the brinsea for another week. I guess I will see what happens, lol.